German Pairs News

Annette Dytrt (22), German national ladies champion, has joined Norman Jeschke (27), German pairs skater (most recently with Mikkeline Kierkgaard, who retired) to form a new German pair. They plan to train with Bruno Marcotte in Vancouver, BC. The pair became official at the beginning of May when the German federation gave its approval.

Because of "false and slanderous" comments Steuer made about the German federation in various interviews, they have severed their ties with him. The German Ministry of the Interior has also ruled that Steuer cannot be paid from public funds.

The comments Ingo made had to do with officials coming out of the woodwork to attend the Olympics at federation expense when the money could have been better used to support skaters. He also complained about lack of support. Not to excuse Ingo's behavior past and present, and he does seem to act and speak before he thinks, but I thought some of his comments about poor federation support of skating were indicative of a general rot in skating federations worldwide. How sad.

Ingo has already been discharged from his "sports soldier" status (six months before planned) because he lied about Stasi ties on his application. The news report did not have any comments on Ingo's future plans.

The German federation has indicated that they will engage a well-known coach to work with Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy in Chemnitz. Whether or not Sav/Szol will accept the offer remains to be seen.

Weird about Steuer. Certainly seems like the federation was just fishing for an excuse to dismiss him. Besides, aren't the Germans supposed to be one of the most "complaining" nations on earth (don't blame me for stereotyping, this was a recent BBC story)? Just seems odd... I really pity Alyona and Robin in all this. Getting a good working relationship with a coach is very difficult; to be told - here is a new coach you are to work with sounds harsh at best.

The German federation has indicated that they will engage a well-known coach to work with Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy in Chemnitz. Whether or not Sav/Szol will accept the offer remains to be seen.

What, if anything, could the German federation do to Aliona and Robin if they reject the offer of "a well-known coach" in order to remain with Steuer? Does anyone have any idea who that coach might be?

I agree that it all sounds very harsh. I don't know if I'd call the Germans complainers, but they are certainly opinionated. And there doesn't seem to be much understanding of the human element in the federation's quest for glory. The fact that the federation had to approve Dytrt skating pairs also seemed more controlling that we're used to in the US.

What, if anything, could the German federation do to Aliona and Robin if they reject the offer of "a well-known coach" in order to remain with Steuer? Does anyone have any idea who that coach might be?

I have no idea. I don't think there are any well-known pairs coaches in Germany who don't have Stasi issues (e.g., Ingo's coach). Knut Schubert, in Dortmund, could be the only "clean" coach of some reputation. It's hard to imagine who might be enticed to move to Chemnitz to work. I'll be watching the news reports and keep you posted!

What, if anything, could the German federation do to Aliona and Robin if they reject the offer of "a well-known coach" in order to remain with Steuer? Does anyone have any idea who that coach might be?

One issue is financial. The federation supports its skaters; in return they have to play by the federation's rules. If they wanted to fly solo, Steuer would have to find ice with enough time and quality to satisfy the needs to elite skaters. Additionally, my guess is that Steuer will no longer be able to be part of the delegation; therefore, he won't be able to stand by the boards, be at K&C, be at official practice sessions, etc.

BTW, here is the link to the BBC story I was alluding to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4599004.stm (how weird I found that story is another issue; also, when they had it on the radio, one British observer actually said, "well, not everyone can be like Americans, wake up happy and go through the day all happy". Talk about stereotyping there!)

Well, one day Annette Ditrt may be the answer to the trivia question, what lady ice skater was the national singles champion of three different countries (Germany, France and the Czech Republic), as well as a national pairs champion.

There seem to be a lot of top ladies taking the pairs route. To me, that would seem to be virtually impossible, but I must be wrong because people do it. It seems like learning all those new pairs skills, and training your body to really trust your partner in throws and lifts, would be like starting all over again (in Dytrt's case, at the age of 22).

I am sorry that Mikkeline Kierkgaard has left the scene. She was a beautiful and very promising singles skater for a time.

One issue is financial. The federation supports its skaters; in return they have to play by the federation's rules. If they wanted to fly solo, Steuer would have to find ice with enough time and quality to satisfy the needs to elite skaters. Additionally, my guess is that Steuer will no longer be able to be part of the delegation; therefore, he won't be able to stand by the boards, be at K&C, be at official practice sessions, etc.

I agree that the federation's break with Steuer means he won't be allowed to be part of the delegation at skating events. Definitely a total disaster for Savchenko and Szolkowy.

Ptichka, you seem to know something about how the German system works vis a vis federation support. Could you please enlighten us? For instance, Savchenko and Szolkowy are the only skaters in the A-level squad for 2006/2007. http://www.eislauf-union.de/download...r2006-2007.pdf Lots of skaters in the B-level and C-level, and lower. How much financial support does the federation give (I think it is not a rich organization)?

Also, if you know how German coaches get paid, I'd appreciate some information. Skaters/parents apparently do not pay fees for lessons. Or?

I'm surprised that the German federation approved this matchup, given how "results oriented" they attempt to be. (For example, for a few seasons, and they may still do this, they wouldn't let skaters into Worlds or Olys without a top 8 Euros showing). Given that they already have one of the top pairs in the world (Savchenko & Szolkowy) and Dytrt these days is about the only thing they have going in Ladies on any level, I should think they would have wanted Dytrt to remain solo, unless they have a few promising prospects that we don't know about. Then again, with the whole Steuer thing, maybe they're unsure about Savchenko & Szolkowy now.

I feel sorry for Savchenko and Szolkowy that they got into the middle of all this. On the other hand I also feel, that Steur&#180;s past cannot be excused just because of being this pair&#180;s coach. In my opinion Steur got what was coming to him, so to speak.

It will be exciting to see the new pair Dytrt & Jesche, how they skate together. I really liked Kierkegaard as a singles skater, don&#180;t think that I have seen her pair performances at all.

It will be exciting to see the new pair Dytrt & Jesche, how they skate together. I really liked Kierkegaard as a singles skater, don´t think that I have seen her pair performances at all.

I was quite a fan of Mikkeline's, too, and I think what the Danish Federation did to her to make her bolt to Germany was just absolutely stupid. ("She does not meet our criteria" -- yeah, like Denmark is SUCH a figure skating mecca on par with Canada or Russia; they should have been thrilled to have her.)

As for Norman Jeshke -- well -- any guy THAT good-looking, give him as many partners as he needs to get back on the World scene.....

One issue is financial. The federation supports its skaters; in return they have to play by the federation's rules. If they wanted to fly solo, Steuer would have to find ice with enough time and quality to satisfy the needs to elite skaters. Additionally, my guess is that Steuer will no longer be able to be part of the delegation; therefore, he won't be able to stand by the boards, be at K&C, be at official practice sessions, etc.

BTW, here is the link to the BBC story I was alluding to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4599004.stm (how weird I found that story is another issue; also, when they had it on the radio, one British observer actually said, "well, not everyone can be like Americans, wake up happy and go through the day all happy". Talk about stereotyping there!)

LOL, i've just had a you-know-you're-a skating-fanatic-when....moment - i opened the link you posted above and read the headline "German firm bans office whingers " but i read it as "German firm bans off-ice whingers"

LOL, i've just had a you-know-you're-a skating-fanatic-when....moment - i opened the link you posted above and read the headline "German firm bans office whingers " but i read it as "German firm bans off-ice whingers"

Not only that, but I learned a new word, "whinge." As I just found out by consulting an on-line dictionary, this British word is unknown in America.

But they also use it in Australia, especially in the phrase, "Whinging Pom" (=b*tchin' Limey).

I have no idea. I don't think there are any well-known pairs coaches in Germany who don't have Stasi issues (e.g., Ingo's coach). Knut Schubert, in Dortmund, could be the only "clean" coach of some reputation. It's hard to imagine who might be enticed to move to Chemnitz to work. I'll be watching the news reports and keep you posted!

Well doesn't Schubert already have two or three pairs in Dortmund?

I doubt Aljona would be willing to train under a different coach. She seems to be very focus on Steuer.